Breeders' Cup Sees Decline in Japan's Pre-Entries

One year after a ground-breaking year for Japan-based horses in terms of support of the Breeders' Cup World Championships and success in the international event, interest has declined going into 2022.

Just one Japan-based horse, Koji Maeda's Chain of Love, is pre-entered in this year's World Championships at Keeneland. The 5-year-old daughter of Heart's Cry  is pre-entered in the Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) (first preference) and the Qatar Racing Sprint (G1) (second preference).

In 2021 Breeders' Cup enjoyed a record year in terms of both support and success from Japan-based horses as eight horses were pre-entered, seven started, and two secured victories in the World Championships contested at Del Mar. 

After DMM Dream Club's international standout Loves Only You  triumphed in the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) and then Carrot Farm's Marche Lorraine  upset rivals in the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), it seemed likely that Japan runners would return in force for the 2022 World Championships.

But when it comes to international racing, each year is unique. Breeders' Cup Racing Secretaries and Directors Panel chairman Tom Robbins noted that besides the challenge every year of having horses that are a good fit, some non-racing circumstances this year may have created some higher hurdles.

"It's a little longer journey for them (to Lexington, compared with Del Mar). The West Coast might be more to their liking," Robbins said. "Obviously with the success that they had at Del Mar last year, I would presume next year at Santa Anita Park that the support might be a little bit stronger. 

"I also think the value of the yen is down. So I think that has some play in this as well—things that you wouldn't expect normally."

Reuters reported Oct. 24 that efforts by Japan to halt that slide have had minimal effect. It reported that, "The widening U.S. (dollar)-Japanese rate differential is likely to keep downward pressure on the yen, which has fallen more than 20% against the dollar this year."

Overall in terms of numbers, Breeders' Cup saw a drop in international support compared with last year's record year. That decline can largely be attributed to Japan's reduced support. Last year Breeders' Cup saw a record 56 overseas entries. It was down to 45 this year.

While not every year can be a record in terms of support, Robbins believes this year's international contingent—as well as the U.S.-based entries—are a strong group. He noted that members of the international Racing Secretaries and Directors Panel were impressed.

"It was good to see some of the European handicappers promote some of the U.S. horses and vice versa—some of the U.S. racing secretaries promoted some of the European horses," Robbins said. "It's a powerful group and we're very excited."

Chain of Love certainly brings some intriguing credentials. She enters the Breeders' Cup off a narrow victory in the Enif Stakes Sept. 10 at Chukyo. That race was contested at 6.95 furlongs—nearly matching the seven-furlong Filly & Mare Turf. Trained by Michihiro Ogasa, Chain of Love has experience in international racing as she finished third against males in this year's Saudia Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G3) and fourth in this year's Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored by Atlantis Dubai (G1) at Meydan.